Faculty & Staff > Information Technology > FAQs

Notebooks

When do I get my notebook?
What kind of contract or agreement do I have to sign?
Can I take my notebook to class? If so, will I need it in every class?
What kind of notebook will I use?
What accessories come with my notebook?
Will Thiel update the operating system or software?
Will my notebook and software become outdated during my years of study?
Do I own the notebook?
Will I get to keep my notebook over the summer?
What do I do if my notebook is damaged or stolen?
Can I take my notebook if I study abroad or off-campus?
What if I have a disability and can't use a notebook?
What does it mean to "reimage" a notebook?

Moodle

What is my login the first time I use Moodle?
How do I change my password for Moodle?
What if I forget my Moodle password?
Where can I find instructions on using Moodle?
How will I know if my classes are on Moodle?

The Thiel Network

How do I login to Thiel's network?
How do I change my network password?
Where on campus will I be able to access the network?

Can I use a router to make a wireless connection in my room?
Can I connect to the network from home?
Is there ever scheduled maintenance, where there may be downtime?
Will the I.T. staff ever contact me by e-mail requesting my password or other personal information?

General

What hours are the labs open?
Will I need a modem?
How do I remove spyware and viruses from my computer?
What if I have problems with my computer?
What if I have a problem with the computer I brought from home?
Do I need a printer?
Can I bring my own computer?
What are the advantages to the program?
How much will this cost me?
What if I transfer or do not graduate?
Do I have to pay for repairs to my notebook?
Can I add additional hardware/software to my notebook?
How will I learn to use my notebook?
What if I want a more powerful computer?
What if I live off campus? Will I be issued a notebook, and can I connect to the Thiel network?
Should I buy insurance to cover loss, theft, or damage to my notebook?
Will I still have to pay a technology fee?
Will I be able to back-up my information on the network?

Notebooks:

When do I get my computer?
New freshmen will receive their computers during the Orientation process. When necessary, returning students will be able to pick up their notebook by calling ext. 4000 and setting up an appointment.

What kind of contract or agreement do I have to sign?
A contract was mailed to all incoming students to sign and return. If you did not receive a copy you will have to sign one when you pickup your notebook. The agreement sets forth the conditions under which the notebook is assigned to you. To see a sample contract for the notebook initiative, click here.

Can I take my notebook to class? If so, will I need it in every class?
Yes, but individual instructors will establish their own policies for notebook use in class. The amount you will use your notebook in your classes will depend upon the individual instructors.

What kind of computer will I use?
Each student will be provided with a Lenovo ThinkPad notebook. The notebook will include a CD-RW/DVD combo drive, Windows operating system, Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft Office 2010 and anti-virus software. USB peripherals (such as a mouse, keyboard or printers) are supported. The College has standardized on the Windows platform for student computing and does not support the Mac platform.

What accessories come with my notebook?
You will be provided with a power supply and an Ethernet cable for your notebook. CD's and USB Flash Drives for storage will be available for purchase.

Will Thiel update the operating system or software?
While you are a Thiel student, the major software updates will be provided to you.

Will my computer and software become outdated during my years of study?
No. To avoid this situation, the College is purchasing computers that we anticipate will have more than a four-year lifespan.

Do I own the computer?
While a student, the computer will remain the property of Thiel College and must be returned if degree requirements are not met. However, upon successful completion of your degree requirements, the College will pass the title of the computer to you.

Will I get to keep my computer over the summer or over the holiday break?
Yes. The exceptions are that the computer must remain in the United States and that you must be registered for the next semester before leaving campus. If you do not register you will billed the buyout cost of the computer. If you later return it or register for classes during the summer you will be billed $5.00 per day up to the buyout cost of the computer.

What do I do if my notebook is damaged or stolen?
If your notebook is damaged, report it immediately to the notebook Support Center.

If your notebook is stolen, immediately contact Public Safety or your local police authorities. You will need to complete a police report as soon as you realize what has happened. Notify Notebook Support Center immediately. The College strongly recommends adding theft/loss/damage insurance to your notebook.

Can I take my notebook if I study abroad or off-campus?
At this time, notebooks must remain in the United States.

What if I have a disability and can't use a notebook?
The Office of Special Needs will work with students to assure their access to computing services.

What does it mean to "reimage" a notebook?
Reimaging a notebook is similar to reformatting a disk. Any information stored on the computer will be erased. Please back-up your files to prevent major losses of data should something happen to your notebook.

Moodle:

What is my login the first time I use Moodle?
The College's network supports Active Directory; your network username and password are the same for Moodle. The "green sheet" you received supplies you with your login information.

How do I change my password in Moodle?
Your network password and your Moodle password are the same. Here is how you can change the password for both:

1. Log in to your Outlook Web Access (https://webmail.thiel.edu/)
2. On the left side of the screen, at the bottom, there are several icons. Click on the last one on the right to enter Options.
3. Scroll to the bottom, and click on Change Password.
4. In the Domain box, type "thiel" without the quotes. The Account is your Thiel ID Number. Type in your old password, and then your new password in their respective boxes, and click Ok.

What if I forget my Moodle password?
Contact the Help Desk at ext. 4000 to ask for a password reset.

Where can I find instructions on using Moodle?
Very basic instructions are available in the Student Guide. You will see this on Moodle's opening page, under the Main Menu, which appears in the left hand column (see below). If you would like more detailed like help using Moodle, please contact Leslie Graul (lgraul@thiel.edu) or Erika Jones (ejones@thiel.edu).

How will I know if my classes are in Moodle?
All classes in which you are enrolled are automatically listed in Moodle. After you log in, you will come to the opening page. At the top of the large central column you will see My courses followed by links to each of the classes in which you are enrolled (see above). If you do not see those class links, it means that the instructors have not yet made the courses available.

NOTE: If you are in one of your courses and need to return to this page to enter another course, click on the THIEL link on the blue bar at the top of the Moodle window (see below). That is Moodle's breadcrumb trail …



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The Thiel Network:

Logging in to Thiel's network

From a Lab Computer: To log in to the network, enter your user name and password in the Microsoft Networking box. Your user name is your ID number, without any leading zeros. For example, an ID number of 0009099 would be 9099 to log into the network. Once you log into the network, several drive letters are mapped to network directories. The J: drive is your personal directory on the network. Security prevents other users from accessing information in this directory.

From a Notebook:
1. In order to login to your Thiel network account, you must double click the Thiel College Network Login icon on the lower right hand side of your desktop. (Note: This feature is available from on campus only.)
2. Enter your Thiel student identification number and password, click OK. NOTE: If the error message, “Log on Failure: Unknown User Name or Bad Password,” appears you have entered your name or password incorrectly. Your password is case-sensitive. Please try again. If the error message, “Network Path is not found” appears, please be sure your green cable is properly connected to both the notebook and the wall jack. If this does not work, please contact the Help Desk at extension 4000.
3. At this point you should be able to access your personal “J” drive account. You may test this by double clicking the My Computer icon in the top left hand corner of your desktop.
4. Double click the icon located next to “[your student ID number] on ‘data’ (J:).” Your files and folders should appear.
5. Any time that you restart your ThinkPad, you must repeat steps 1 and 2 to access your personal “J” drive.
6. Any time you disconnect from the campus network, you will need to re-establish your network connections (steps 1 and 2) to make use of your J: drive again.

How do I change my network password?

From a Thiel Lab Computer:
In order to change your password, you must first log in on a lab computer.(Lab computers can be found in AC 36, AC 35, and the HMSC.)

1. Press Ctrl, Alt and Delete on the keyboard.
2. A windows security screen will appear.
3. Click on Change Password…
4. Enter your old password and your new password in the designated areas.
5. Click Ok.

From a Notebook:
1. Log in to your Outlook Web Access (https://webmail.thiel.edu/)
2. On the left side of the screen, at the bottom, there are several icons. Click on the last one on the right to enter Options.
3. Scroll to the bottom, and click on Change Password.
4. In the Domain box, type "thiel" without the quotes. The Account is your Thiel ID Number. Type in your old password, and then your new password in their respective boxes, and click Ok.

*This will change all of your Thiel network, email and TC Login passwords, including your Moodle password.

Where on campus will I be able to access the network?
You will be provided with wireless access from any of the academic public spaces on campus. This includes the Academic Center, Greenville Hall, the Library, and the Howard Miller Student Center. Each student will also have a wired connection in their room.

Can I use a router to make a wireless connection in my room?

At this time we will be happy to set up an access point for you so that you will have a wireless connection to the network.  You must purchase an AP (access point) and have it configured by the IT department. For recommendations on brands please call x4000.

Can I connect to the network from home?
No, not directly to the network. You will be able to access web mail and Moodle, but not your network storage, classes and department folders.

Is there ever scheduled maintenance, where there may be downtime?
Information Technology has a scheduled maintenance window from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the Thursday following the second Tuesday of every month. This maintenance consists of installing patches on all of our servers, which will require the servers to be rebooted. Outages for each server should be less than 10 minutes each and all patching will be completed by 8 a.m. Internet access will not be affected.

If the scheduled time for a particular month conflicts with a major campus event (such as finals) or a holiday, we will send a note to campus detailing a new date and time for that month. Contact the Support Center at (724) 589-4000 for additional details.

Will the I.T. staff ever contact me by e-mail requesting my password or other personal information?
No, Information Technology will never e-mail you requesting any password or other personal information. It's possible that this could be spam or a phishing scheme. If you receive an e-mail like this, contact the Support Center at x4000 and they will assist you. Currently, password changes happen in person by appointment at the Support Center, in labs or using the Outlook web interface for those who change their own passwords.

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General

Modems?
If you wish to connect to our network you do NOT need a modem for your computer. Your connection will be made by plugging your network patch cable (NOT a phone cable) into the wall jack labeled for the computer.

What if I have problems with my computer?
The College serves as the warranty administrator for notebook repairs. If a problem occurs while on campus, you will be directed to the campus notebook Support Center. If the problem occurs while you are off campus, please call (724) 589-4000 for further instructions.

What if I have a problem with the computer I brought from home?
With the implementation of the notebook program, the Information Technology staff no longer provides repair support for any computers that are not owned by the College.

Do I need a printer?
Not necessarily. Access to public printers is provided through the campus network (instructions on how are provided). If you wish to use a personal printer, you must provide your own.

Can I bring my own computer?
Yes. However, please know that any computer you bring must meet the College's strict security standards for virus protection. There will be a $50.00 setup fee that covers the cost of validation.

What are the advantages to the program?
The major advantage to a notebook program such as this one is that all students will have access to the same technology. Instructors can prepare and deliver course materials knowing that every student has easy access to the software or tools he or she might need to succeed.

How much will this cost me?
There is a Technology fee that will be assessed to all full time and Part time students on a semester basis. (Current fees available from Thiel College Financial Services.)

What if I transfer or do not graduate?
Under the terms of the program agreement, students who transfer or do not graduate must return the notebook and all equipment. Alternately, you may elect to purchase the equipment for an amount to be determined by how long you have been enrolled in the program.

Do I have to pay for repairs to my notebook?
If repairs are not covered under warranty, you will be responsible for any cost associated with the repair. Again, the College strongly recommends adding theft/loss/damage insurance to your notebook.

Can I add additional hardware/software to my notebook?
Yes, as long as you are licensed to use the software you may add it to your notebook.

How will I learn to use my notebook?
You could elect to enroll in the Computer Science 111 through 113 courses to learn Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Access). Contact ext. 4000 for more information.

What if I want a more powerful computer?
The computers provided in this program are appropriate to needs for academic computing. As always, you have the option of providing an additional computer as long as it meets the security guidelines set by the College for virus protection.

What if I live off campus? Will I be issued a notebook, and can I connect to the Thiel network?
Yes, you will be issued a notebook, based on your status as a full time or part time student. You will be able to access the Thiel network from home provided that you have your own Internet Service Provider granting you Internet access.

Should I buy insurance to cover loss, theft, or damage to my notebook?
Yes, you should. Information on your options for this insurance will be provided to you by Student Services.You can also receive that information by stopping at the Notebook Support Center in AC125 or calling ext. 4000.

Will I still have to pay a technology fee?
Yes. The technology fee supports the cabling infrastructure on campus, as well as the cable television, telephone services and notebook program.

Will I be able to backup my information on the network?
Thiel provides individual network storage that is ample for most coursework (Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, etc.). Larger personal files (music, photos, system files, etc.) should be archived utilizing the CD-RW drive provided with your notebook.

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